Page 144 of Fall Fake-Out

The soft tan fabric skims every curve that I have absolutely no business noticing. Tall brown boots disappear beneath the hem, and her brown hair hangs loose around her shoulders in perfect waves.

She has this ability to look effortlessly beautiful while the rest of us are out here fighting for our lives in khaki pants and a sports jacket.

The entire wedding party gathers at Horseshoe Holler. White chairs line the aisle down the tree-filled path. The leaves have fully committed to autumn now, covering the hillsides in every shade of orange, gold, and red imaginable.

It’s peak Vermont fall in Autumn Ridge.

Jaxon stands at the front, beside the wedding arch, while Landrie fusses over the order of how everyone is supposed to line up.

“No, Wade is supposed to be at the end of the groomsmen line because he’s not family.” She points. I move.

Jaxon catches my eye, giving me an awkward smile. Neither of us has any authority here. But I don’t mind. I’m not family. I’m just the best friend. I’ll stand wherever Landrie tells me to.

Ari smiles at me as she stands in line opposite the men.

My own smile immediately appears; I don’t even try to hide it anymore—not that I ever really did.

She steals a page from my book and winks at me. There’s something wildly attractive about her winking at me. It’s probably the cutest thing another human has ever done. And now I’m just counting down the minutes until this is done and I can be right next to her. My desperate need to be near her as much as possible is crazy and a bit humbling.

“Alright.” Landrie claps her hands. “Can everyone please focus? Look at the bridesmaid or groomsmen who are across from you. That’s who you’ll be walking down the aisle with.”

My eyes shoot to the best man. I’ve never been more jealous of Luke Walker in my entire life.

“Careful, Luke.” Jaxon nudges his little brother. “Wade looks like he’s about to strangle you just for walking Ari down the aisle.”

This makes all of the Walker brothers laugh.

And now I’ve got Ben teasing me. “It’s good for Wade to have a little competition. Keeps him honest.”

Tate joins in. “Sorry, Wade. We can’t rearrange the whole wedding party because you’ve finally fallen for someone.”

Luke raises his palms in innocence. “I swear I won’t touch her the whole time.”

I laugh, glancing at Ari. “Just make sure you deliver her back to me when you’re done.”

And I mean it.

The rehearsal takes forty-seven years or approximately forty-five minutes.

Same thing.

Eventually, everyone makes it through the ceremony without any mistakes or doing anything that Landrie doesn’t approve of.

Jaxon throws an arm around my shoulders as people begin heading toward their vehicles. “It looks like you finally succumbed to your feelings for Ari.”

I glance her way. She’s laughing with Liv near the parking area.

“Yeah, maybe I have.”

His grin widens. “It’s about time, buddy.”

That’s all he says before slapping me on the back and running off to his bride.

And honestly, when it comes to Ari and me, it really is about time.

The church buzzes with conversation when we arrive for dinner. Round tables fill the activity room just off the chapel. Every detail is over the top. I don’t know much about rehearsal dinners, but I know this one is nice. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Landrie and Barb.

The Walker family occupies two entire tables when you figure in Maven with Ben, Liv with Tate, and some blonde girl with Luke.